- Foundation Joan Miro
I visited the Foundation Joan Miro in Barcelona last year, and the exhibition space design has stayed in my memory unlike any other exhibition space I've visited. With an unconventional plan, hexagonal rooms, a rooftop exhibition space exposed to the elements, heavy concrete geometries jutting out from every direction, Josep Lluis Sert's design strays from the minimalist white cube template that a lot of modernist exhibition space designers abide to. I found this unconventional building to add playfulness to Miro's displayed work, and the architecture inspired a childlike curiosity as I walked around, that I greatly appreciated. It became a supplementary artwork to enjoy Miro's work while in an environment enveloping you in wonder, and had moments of connection with Barcelona's urban landscape, through viewpoints to the outside, outdoor exhibits, and a walkable rooftop.
- Museo Sorolla, Madrid
A second exhibition space I visited while in Spain was dedicated to a singular artist, Sorolla, and the exhibition takes place in a museum that was previously the artist's workspace and home. I appreciate repurposed buildings a lot, and in this case, the exhibition taking place in his home added another level of intimacy to the exhibition space. We were able to see details of his home and home life that added to the experience of viewing his art, such as a beautiful courtyard filled with mosaics, as well as furniture and easels that allowed us to image his art-making process. For me, this museum served as my first real life glimpse into old regency traditions of displaying art, ie. colored walls, skied paintings hung floor to ceiling, etc. which is quite unusual by contemporary art exhibition standards. Overall, my interest in art exhibition spaces seems to lie in their potential to stray from convention, due to my belief that part of what makes art important is novelty, its ability to inspire thought, break norms and leave a lasting impact. Thus, art exhibition spaces should be free to do that same!